Ratings and Rigging

I usually record every jump and have no problem providing students with the video. I do let them know however, that the camera is my very lowest priority, and I make no promises regarding the footage. If you do want the video, it may be a good idea to ask your instructor before gearing up to make sure their camera is ready to go. Sometimes they are just not thinking about it, especially if they are busy and making a lot of jumps that day.

https://www.stubbsconner.com/m/obituaries/Stephen-Stewart-6/Memories
Stephen R. Stewart
Apr 13, 1950 - Oct 19, 2018
STEWART, Stephen R., age 68, of Waynesville, passed away Fri. Oct. 19, 2018 at his residence.
Steve was born April 13, 1950 to Emerson “Red” Stewart Sr. and Irene Stewart in Dayton. He graduated from Waynesville High School, class of ’69. He proudly served in the Ohio Air Guard during the Vietnam Era. He was a member of Crossview Christian Church in Waynesville, the US Parachute Association, and charter member of the Parachute Industry Association.
Steve’s passion for aviation and skydiving was unmatched. Over the years he was instrumental in the training and mentoring of many young pilots, airplane mechanics, and skydivers. Steve’s interest in helping others learn and grow launched many aviation related careers and his influence is felt across general aviation in the Midwest and beyond.
He founded Waynesville Sky Diving in 1969, shortly thereafter he founded Stewart Systems. Immersed in general aviation his entire life, Steve was a pioneer and innovator in the modern sport of skydiving. He created the Sweet Hog Container and Harness Parachute System, which helped pave the way for modern skydiving as it is today.
A Commercial pilot with over 20,000 hours of flight time logged. Steve was also a FAA licensed Aircraft Inspector, a Master Parachute Rigger, and Designated Parachute Rigger Examiner by the FAA.
Steve along with his wife Jane, were very family focused and always willing to open their home to others. The resulting village of family and friends constantly surrounding him was a comfort and joy throughout his life. Steve also enjoyed working on model airplane projects during the winter months.
He was preceded in death by his wife Jane in 2007 and by his parents. He is survived by six children Jason (Emily) Praeter, Steve (Emily) Stewart, Eric (Kelli) Campbell, Amy Burd, Jaime Praeter (Jamie Garner), and Jon (Autumn) Stewart; 18 grandchildren; and two brothers Emerson “Cubby” (Cathy) Stewart and David “Dink” Stewart.
A celebration of life service will be held 11 AM Fri. Oct. 26 at Crossview Christian Church in Waynesville. Steve Williamson will be officiating. Graveside services, with full military honors, will immediately follow the celebration at Miami Cemetery in Corwin. The family will receive friends 6-9 PM Thurs. at the church. Stubbs-Conner Funeral Home in Waynesville is serving the family. Condolences at www.stubbsconner.com.
The Family Will Receive Friends
OCT 25. 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Crossview Christian Church
4237 E Social Row Rd.
Waynesville, OH, US, 45068

I bought one of these as a second audible to compliment my ProTrack. The flexibility on the alarms is great, and I like the simple android interface. Can't beat it for the price.
The only thing I want to change ASAP is turning off the beeps on the climb. Glad to see that update is already in development. As a static line instructor, my 3500 ft alarm is going off repeatedly as we are flying right at that altitude putting students out. I've bumped the alarm down to 3400 as a temporary solution.
Beyond that, I'm really looking forward to seeing what future developments might be available via software updates. Tons of potential there.

Have fun and enjoy your tandem. Let your instructor know that you will be coming back to do static line, so they can be sure talk you through the basics of canopy control as you fly under canopy with them. Most tandem instructors will be happy to let you fly the canopy while you are up high.
All your questions will be answered in FJC. That's the best place to get your info. Learning on the internet can complicate things if your first jump instructor tells you a slightly different way of doing things. You will practice the exit until you feel comfortable, so don't sweat it. Above all, be sure to RELAX. It's one of the most important rules of skydiving.

Remember to have your feet and knees together on your PLF. Students often tend to reach for the ground with one foot. This is going to put all the impact on one leg instead of spreading across both. Also, the reaching can result in a asymmetry that might have you turning during the flare.
Be sure to follow through on your flare. Get your arms all the way down before you hit the ground, and hold the flare through your PLF.

Try a linked exit. Ride down the hill linked and then try to fly with no tension in your grips. Then release grips and work on staying relative. If your two way partner has a camera, it's a great way for you to see what you need to adjust in your body position.
If I was to take a guess, you probably need to work on keeping your legs extended. It's a common mistake that leads to a sinking out and backsliding.

Looks like the first minute is free (included in the price of the cruise to be precise), and then additional charges apply after that according to the video in this story.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/cruiselog/2014/11/03/quantum-cruise-skydiving-simulator/18401451/

One simple question one of my instructors posed to me when I was a less than perfect student... are you still having fun? That's what it all boils down to. Do you really enjoy skydiving enough to spend the time and cash that it will inevitably consume?
A little fear is natural. Learn everything about your gear, and that will give you some reassurance. Read the SIM. It's not as entertaining as the YouTube videos and magazines, but it has the information you need to become a safe skydiver. Chat with your instructors whenever you can. Bad whether days, and over a beer after jumping are great times for that.
Expect a mal on every jump, and be prepared to deal with it. Hopefully things go well and you don't need your EPs, but plan for that first mal on every jump. When that first one happens, you should be prepared and ready. If so, then it shouldn't be an experience that would stop you from skydiving.
Bottom line, if you're having fun and your instructors haven't told you to consider taking up bowling (a nice way of saying you're not cut out for skydiving), then I would encourage you to continue.

New jumpers are normally lacking in situational awareness. Things are so new, and happening so fast that it's nearly impossible to take it all in. For some (maybe most?), this increases their fear and excitement. Even though you are not feeling the fear and excitement, you may not yet be able to take it all in and just enjoy the view and the relaxing freedom of flying your body in freefall.
It's sounds like you are focused, and handling the training well enough. But just falling stable is really not all that exciting once you get over the initial shock of throwing yourself from a plane. If you've got that all under control, then great. You are ready to learn what really makes skydiving fun.
Beyond just being able to save yourself from impacting the earth, the challenge to learn new skills is always present in the sport. There's several disciplines to focus on, and compete in, if competition might drive your excitement. But even the basics such as turning, recovering from instability, tracking, and flying relative to others all will offer a challenge.
I think by posting here, you are telling us you are invested enough to at least be curious what the sport is all about. So I say at least complete the AFF training and see how you feel then.

Once you start to hang out at the DZ on a regular basis, you'll discover that skydiving is a very social sport. I was more in to solo sports when I started as well. I soon learned that the social aspect of life at the DZ is what keeps most people coming back. Solo jumps will get old by the time you have your A license. RW is a way to enjoy the sport with your new friends, and work on improving skills together, rather than on your own. RW is also a great way to get mentoring from more experienced jumpers.

Mine is an 89 Javelin. It's needed some TLC from my rigger, especially in the velcro areas, but other that that no issues. As long as your rigger says it's airworthy, you should be good to go.
One thing you may want to discuss with your rigger is whether it is, or can be easily modified to be "freefly friendly." Older rigs weren't necessarily designed with that in mind. That may not be a concern to you now, but consider whether it may be something you'll be interested in the future.